Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121
Spragueia magnifica
This record describes Spragueia magnifica (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acontiinae
- Tribe
- Acontiini
- Genus
- Spragueia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Texas to southern California. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from May to September. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Poole (2013) states the host plant is unknown. ( 6 )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Spragueia magnifica. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121
How big is Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121?
Wingspan about 15 mm.
Where is Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121 found?
Range: Texas to southern California. ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) , ( 5 )
What does Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121 eat?
The diet of the Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121 includes Poole (2013) states the host plant is unknown. ( 6 ).
When is Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121 active?
Spragueia magnifica - Hodges#9121: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from May to September. ( 4 ).